Dividing the unity

Religion: Pro-gay Presbyterians and Lutherans gain; Episcopalians formalize split | Richard N. Ostling

Illustration by Krieg Barrie

The latest Presbyterian Church (USA) referendum on sexual morality upheld a law requiring all clergy and lay office-holders "to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness." But it was a surprisingly close call for conservatives. Although that rule can apply equally to heterosexuals, approval for same-sex couples is the acknowledged flashpoint. A liberal proposal to repeal the law needed endorsement from a majority of the church's 173 regional presbyteries. By late April, a majority of 87 bodies had already voted to block change, though balloting continues through this month.

While traditionalists won, there is a strong leftward trend. In previous repeal attempts, 67 percent of presbyteries voted no in 1998, followed by 73 percent in 2002, but only 56 percent so far this time. More significantly, 28 presbyteries that opposed repeal in 2002 have switched sides in 2009. Only two have moved rightward.